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The World: Latest Stories

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Updated 2025-07-02 13:46
Seattle becomes first US city to try dockless bike sharing, the system that’s transforming China
Seattle had bike sharing, but the system didn’t work out. But the new system — dockless bike sharing — is already off to a hot start.
NASA is designing a spacecraft that could nudge asteroids out of Earth’s way
If built, the refrigerator-sized DART could take aim at a 160-meter asteroid in as little as five years.
The Midnight Scan Club sheds new light on the human brain
Most of our knowledge of the human brain comes from the group average of thousands of MRI scans. Dr. Nico Dosenbach felt he could gain more knowledge by collecting detailed individual scans. But with few resources at his disposal, he and his colleagues had to be creative.
The physics behind 2017’s biggest superhero movies
Could Wonder Woman actually block bullets with her bracelets? Could Thor punch the Hulk without knocking himself over? Professor Rhett Allain turns to physics to find out.
Conservationists' noble goals often conflict with local cultures, according to a new book
A new book argues that the promise of saving what’s left of nature can sometimes be imperiled by the narrow cultural lens employed by people from the developed part of the world.
The science of engineering touch
Haptics are already at your fingertips — they’re the cutting edge of virtual reality and robotics technology.
Trump cites an urban legend about Gen. Pershing’s fight with primarily Muslim insurgents
After the terror attack in Spain on Thursday, President Donald Trump tweeted his condemnation and urged those fighting terrorism to study US Gen. John Pershing.
The aftermath of the deadly attacks in Barcelona
Barcelona reacts to the attacks on Las Ramblas that killed 14 and injured over 100.
Why did ISIS target Spain? The answer may lie in history.
Until this week, Spain remained one of the few European countries where ISIS had not carried out an attack. But the country is a key location in the history of Islam.
Bannon out as chief strategist
Trump parted ways with controversial chief strategist, Steve Bannon. Recently, Bannon contradicted the president's plans on North Korea and called white supremacists "losers" and "clowns."
Understanding the groups President Trump labeled 'the alt-left'
The protests in Charlottesville drew a large crowd of counter-protesters — people opposed to the racism, white nationalism and other forms of hate espoused by many of the protesters who came for the "Unite the Right" protest.
After witnessing police shoot protesters, Kenyan rapper Octopizzo says 'who will speak out if I don't?'
Kenyan hip-hop artist Octopizzo says he witnessed police officers firing live bullets on protesters and bystanders in Kibera. Kenyan authorities deny that police used disproportionate force, but Octopizzo says he saw it for himself.
Here's what Paraguayans did with a statue commemorating a longtime dictator
What should be done with a monument dedicated to a controversial figure? It's a question Paraguayans had to answer not long ago.
Charlottesville violence leaves America 'diminished and dismissed'
America's standing in the world is dwindling fast under the Trump administration. That's the impression of the BBC's Katty Kay after four weeks in Europe.
Removing racist statues is 'taking history to task' in South Africa
After a deadly white supremacist rally in Charlottesville, Virginia, Americans are debating whether Confederate monuments should appear in public places. In South Africa, statues celebrating British imperialists and architects of apartheid have also faced calls for removal. A University of Cape Town student explains why that's so important.
Of Confederate flag cellphone accessories and Charlottesville
Deepak Singh lived in Charlottesville when he first came to the US. Though he had an MBA and years of experience as a journalist, he found himself working retail, where he learned a lot about America.
What to do with America’s Confederate statues and monuments
Do monuments and memorials need to change as society changes? If so, is that changing history or is it changing memory?
How Hitler's birthplace in Austria handles its unwanted landmark
The Austrian government wanted to knock down the house where Hitler was born. But the town said no, you can't stop people from remembering history. But you can try to make sure that when they do, they know what really happened.
Richard Russo and Jenny Boylan on plot twists in books — and life
Writers Richard Russo and Jenny Boylan talk about the plot twists in Russo’s novel “Everybody’s Fool,” as well as the twists in their friendship.
Guilty pleasure: The word 'moist'
Sadie Stein cannot understand why you would want a cake that is anything but “moist.”
This is not a Disney story: Helen Oyeyemi takes on Snow White
Helen Oyeyemi was born in Nigeria; the tale comes from medieval Germany.
Claudia Rankine’s 'Citizen' shows what racism really feels like
Kurt Andersen’s talks with the award-winning author about her groundbreaking work of poetry.
Why we still remember a ‘relatively’ important eclipse nearly a century later
In 1919, a total solar eclipse confirmed a prediction in Einstein’s theory of general relativity.
Four things ordinary people can do to counter hate after Charlottesville
According to civics expert Eric Liu, now is the time to take action. And no, it doesn’t involve showing up to the next white supremacist rally.
It's been 70 years since India's Partition. There's finally a museum devoted to it.
India has a new museum devoted to its Partition with Pakistan. Organizers say they want to collect stories from people not just in India, but Pakistan, Bangladesh and the diaspora.
In the face of hate, America should 'stand up and be the hero'
He says the country is at a turning point.
Why French Muslim comedian Samia Orosemane says she's like a UFO
Samia Orosemane is a French stand-up comedian of Tunisian descent, who jokes about stereotypes of Africans and Muslim women ... and of course, about her mother.
Aussie eclipse chaser heads to Idaho for 16th eclipse
Terry Cuttle relishes the challenge of finding the best weather odds and getting half a dozen cameras to far-flung locations.
Four international documentaries to see before the summer ends
Film critic Matt Holzman recommends these four must-see summer documentaries.
Brazil defies (positive) expectations
Roiled by two years of recession, the impeachment of one president and indictment of another, and its worst corruption scandal ever, Brazil is not exactly on the path predicted at the beginning of this century, when it was hailed as one of the globe's most promising rising economic powers. What happened? Inequalities and imbalances at home may have been papered over in boom times, but they didn't go away, and now Brazil's leaders face the challenge of finding a more sustainable and equitable way forward.
What will we learn from this year's solar eclipse?
Over the centuries, solar eclipses have helped us learn about the Earth, the sun and the universe, and have proved the power of the scientific method itself.
The Red Delicious may have fallen out of favor in the US, but it’s huge in China
Red Delicious apples from Washington state have long been the pinnacle of apples. With an explosion of apple varieties, however, it has fallen out of favor with many American consumers. In China, though, it’s highly revered.
Wildfires in the American West blaze hotter, fiercer and longer than ever before
The impact, devastation and cost of forest fires in America’s West have multiplied in recent decades. Wildfires are stronger than ever, tearing through communities and overwhelming the forest service budget.
What it was like that day in Charlottesville
The World's Lidia Jean Kott was in Charlottesville, Virginia, over the weekend.
This is why most of the counter-protesters in Charlottesville were white
White violence isn't new, but media coverage of hate crimes since the election may make it seem that way.
The US far-right is a fan of — Syria's Assad?
Members of various far-right groups in the US have been showing support for an unlikely figure: notorious Syrian President Bashar al-Assad. But why?
A total solar eclipse was once all about fear, but it’s still an awe-inspiring event
In ancient times, when the sun suddenly disappeared from the sky, people would usually be afraid. Scientists have understood the physics behind a total solar eclipse for a long time, but it can still put some people on edge. Religious and nonreligious people alike can find deep meaning in these sorts of astronomical events.
Three ways the Trump administration has downplayed white supremacy
In the weeks leading up to the neo-Nazi and white supremacist rally that turned deadly over the weekend in Charlottesville, Virginia, President Donald Trump and those close to him have often played down the real threat of violence being committed by white supremacists on a regular basis across the country.
California counties sue oil and gas companies for damages caused by climate change
Two counties and a city in California are suing more than 30 major oil and gas companies for losses and damages expected from global warming.
Alan Alda's secret to better communication? Have a little more empathy.
The actor is on a mission to help scientists make their research more relatable to the public. In his new book, he shares some tips for us all.
What’s your game plan for the Great American Eclipse?
Two experts share tips for making the most of the Aug. 21 eclipse.
Slowing the symptoms of Alzheimer’s by helping patients relearn lost skills
The specialized care program recognizes that people with moderately severe Alzheimer’s can still learn, but need to do so at their developmental level.
What you need to know about this month’s total solar eclipse
Get your solar glasses and popcorn ready — the Great American Eclipse is going to be a show.
South African artist Lady Skollie explains why she paints burning vaginas
“It’s got a burning vagina in the middle and there are all men — so it’s like they are warming themselves around a burning vagina. Which, to me, is pretty much South Africa.”
Helping the blind 'see' the solar eclipse
A new app allows users to hear and touch this month's total solar eclipse.
At 14, she tested positive for HIV — now she calls herself an HIVictor
"I’m just that person. I’m like, dude — I’m HIV-positive.”
Travel the world on an ice cream tour in Los Angeles
“We love vanilla, chocolate ... but you still have that memory of what you ate back home,” says Smita Vasant, who left her corporate job to open Saffron Spot in Los Angeles.
Residents sue US Steel over air pollution in Western Pennsylvania
Tiny particles and acid-forming chemicals from industry can affect the air of an entire town or region and the health of its residents. So some people who live in or near Clairton, PA, about 15 miles south of Pittsburgh, are suing US Steel to force them into compliance with clean air standards.
John Hockenberry gives us his takeaway
The Takeaway's longtime host, John Hockenberry, says goodbye to the show.
The military option with North Korea is 'locked and loaded,' Trump says
US President Donald Trump on Friday said a military option against North Korea was "locked and loaded," his latest salvo in an escalating war of words with Pyongyang's nuclear-armed regime.
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